Auxiliary apparatus for flotation, propulsion and steering for wheeled or tracked vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus that can be bolted to the transom of a vehicle, comprising in combination a central box, which is open on at least the part of the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle and forms an extension for increasing the carrying volume and the buoyancy. Two lateral elements, for flotation and support of hydraulic propulsion motors with ducted propeller, are connected to the central box and contain respective fuel tanks and reservoirs for the motor actuation fluid, and there are ducts that end on the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle and are preset for the output, return and drainage connections of the motors.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An auxiliary apparatus for flotation, propulsion and steering for a wheeled or tracked vehicle, which can be connected at the transom of the vehicle, comprising in combination a central box, which is open on at least part of the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle, and forms an extension for increasing carrying volume and buoyancy, which is connected to two lateral elements for flotation and support of hydraulic propulsion motors with ducted propeller, said apparatus being connectable to said vehicle by means of detachable connection means. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one fuel tank and at least one reservoir for the fluid for actuating said hydraulic motors, and wherein it further comprises ducts that lead onto a surface that faces the transom of the vehicle, said ducts being preset for the input, output and drainage connections of said hydraulic motors. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising three of said tanks, which are adjacent and connected by means of holes, a central tank being included in said central box and a lateral tank being included in each one of said lateral elements. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said tanks are arranged adjacent to the upper surface of said apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising two of said reservoirs, included respectively in said lateral elements. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said reservoirs are arranged adjacent to the upper surface of said apparatus and have a side wall that lies opposite the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle in common with said lateral tanks. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said lateral elements have ducted seats provided with hydrodynamic intakes whose inlet is located on an outer lateral wall of said lateral elements, said seats being suitable to contain said hydraulic motors and the propellers connected thereto. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said detachable connection means provide for perforated flaps that protrude from edges that delimit said surface that faces the transom of the vehicle, so as to provide a surface for the bolting of said apparatus to the vehicle, gasket elements being provided in points of connection to the vehicle. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said detachable connection means provide precision interfaces that can be mated by way of a self-centering threaded connection with gasket elements provided in points of connection to the vehicle. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said central box and, for a longer extent, said lateral elements are arranged longitudinally with a profile that tapers toward an end that lies opposite an end for connection to the vehicle. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said central box has a hermetic door on a face that lies opposite a surface that faces the transom of the vehicle.